The Sports Monitor

The story about the Pirates strong-arming the Stroll Inn seems to be taking a life of its own. The latest revelation is that the owner claimed Frank Coonelly scolded her. You can hear the an interview here . Again, the Pirates really should be more concerned with what's happening on the field than what others are doing off the field. I still think the Stroll Inn should have kept the promotion. Maybe, however, the Stroll Inn realized that before too long, they would be giving away free pitchers of beer, or, it would have to pay customers to buy a pitcher, if losses exceeded the cost of the pitcher. I'd like to see other bars offer a similar deal as a show of solidarity. To help them along, here are some ideas to consider: Bad Trade Night . Half off a beer every time the Pirates trade an established player for a minor leaguer. Bad Pitcher Night . Half off a pitcher of beer every time a Pirates starter gives up more than five runs in a game. Another game under .500...

Nothing like a Pirates controversy to bring me out of my slumber. Apparently, the Stroll Inn had a special that if the Pirates lose -- and, frankly, when don't they lose -- patrons could get a nickel off a pitcher of beer. That didn't sit well with two employees of the Pirates . They called for a boycott of the bar. Frank Coonelly, according to WTAE, supports his employees actions. So, naturally, the bar caved. You'd think the Pirates' employees, along with Coonelly, would focus instead on improving the team. Instead, they go after a business. I'd like to see more bars offer a similar deal, not to increase the number of drunk Pirates fans out there, but to stand up against the Pirates. At least the bar is getting some free publicity out of all this. The Pirates, however, take another PR hit. Maybe the franchise was jealous they couldn't think up of a creative promotion and they missed out on cashing in on such an idea. Or just maybe the organiz...

I had a nice streak going on opening day in Pittsburgh. It ended last year. The new streak is two years and counting without watching the first pitch of the home season in person. You know what? I haven't missed it. The Nutting ownership has done that to me. I still follow the Bucs but I know it's a hopeless cause with the Nuttings in charge. A co-worker asked if I saw the Pirates win Wednesday. "Nope. I've detached myself from the Pirates," I said. If I have something else going on, it's not a priority. I turned them on today to watch the ceremonies and first pitch on TV, so I'm not completely ignoring all things Pirates. I've just found better use for my money than to line the Nuttings' pockets while they field inferior teams. Hopefully my attitude changes and so does theirs.

It's Opening Day and I had the misfortune of turning on the Pirates. It's early in the game as I write this, but it's hard to get excited about a team that features Lyle Overbay as its cleanup hitter. So even if he does come through with a game-winning homer, I won't change my mind. I know the Pirates are trying to justify his offseason acquisition, but batting him fourth? The last time I checked, teams put their biggest home-run threat fourth. Overbay is coming off seasons of 20, 16, 15 and 10 homers. And it's not like Overbay had limited action in those seasons. His at-bat totals were: 607, 500, 627 and 476. I know new manager Clint Hurdle is full of energy and is ultra-positive, but this move reeks of something John Russell would do.

Every spring you can count on a handful of things: the return of baseball, preparation of taxes, a wild party on St. Patrick's Day and, of course, the Pitt collapse in the NCAA basketball tournament. Saturday was the latest chapter in Pitt sports history where the eighth-seeded Butler Bulldogs crushed the hopes of Pitt fans with an unbelievable 71-70 win in the NCAA tournament. It was the second time in three seasons that the No. 1-seeded Panthers failed to make the Final Four. And this time, they failed to make the Sweet 16 under coach Jamie Dixon. The ending proved to be typical Pitt. It also proved my theory with the Panthers: They will break your heart. The Panthers failed to get a shot off with a lead, giving Butler the ball with less than 10 seconds left. Butler scored to take the lead, beating the so-called tough Pitt defense. With less than 2 seconds left, Pitt's Gilbert Brown was unbelievably fouled. It was a so-so call, but it was the gift Pitt needed. Bro...

Let me start off by admitting that I'll be rooting for Pitt to earn a trip to the Final Four. I'll be rooting, but I don't expect it to happen. That's usually the way it is with Pitt. I've lived by one rule when it comes to Pitt football and Pitt basketball -- they will disappoint you (or break your heart). This will be Pitt's 10th straight tournament appearance. Over the past nine seasons, Pitt has a strong history of underachieving.Last year, they lost to Xavier in the second round. In 2008 they lost to Michigan State in the second round. In 2006 they lost to Bradley in the second round. In 2005 they lost to Pacific in the first round. They play in the toughest league and won it. However, their style of physical play doesn't translate into the tournament. First, they enter the game with a reputation of a hard-nosed, tough team, putting the officials on alert. Second, they get officials who don't normally allow such play. I've always thoug...

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